For Travis Renshaw, it was a way of rejuvenating what he believed Christmas is all about.

"The thing that is happening in Adelaide, and probably globally, is people are switching back to the reality of Christmas is about.

"It's not about commercialism, it's about giving."

By keeping the idea of Christmas and giving paramount, Travis and his friends came up with the idea to create the Adelaide Christmas Tree Festival.

"The heart and soul of this event is the Christmas trees and really the ability to raise money for charity."

They approached local organisations and 20 leapt at the opportunity to sponsor their own tree.

The trees were then decorated by the sponsors with items that defined the sponsor or their chosen charity.

As well as the sponsorship fee, visitors are able to buy $1 voting vouchers to support their favourite tree or charity.

"People coming over are really switching on to the fact that they can give to the trees, and the other great piece of feedback we've had is from lots of groups saying how can we get a tree for next year?"

The organisers hope to display up to 50 trees along the stretch in the next couple of years.

"I guarantee if we get to 50 trees, we'll be looking to build up to 100," Travis said.

Amongst the highly decorated trees, one stands bare.

It is for the Hutt Street Centre, and represents the fact that some people in Adelaide will go without the joys of Christmas as a result of various hardships.

"It sparks a conversation that is fruitful for this time of year, to recognise that there are lots and lots of people that will have a great Christmas, and they are going to have lots of parents and stuff, and there is also going to be a small number of people who are going to go without."

Travis said he has noticed many families enjoying the Christmas trees, with children often asking their parents about each of the charities and learning what the organisations represent.

Once the Christmas tree inspections are done, the family can relax with a variety of activities and free games that are offered, with food and beverages available for purchase.

Entry to the Adelaide Christmas Tree Festival is free, with the trees on display from 3:00pm, till 23 December 2012.